Sunderland's Jermain Defoe named North East Football Writers Association footballer of the year

21Dec2016

Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has been named the North East Football Writers’ Association’s 2016 footballer of the year, while team-mate Jordan Pickford has won the Young Player award. Defoe becomes the 37th winner of the award and follows the likes of Darren Bent, Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn who have won the award in the past.

The England striker was the clear winner among the panel, seeing off competition from Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson who finished second and Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles who was third. Defoe hit his 150th Premier League goal last month and has scored 19 goals in the league in 2016, and he admits it is a huge honour to have been recognised for the award.

Speaking to safc.com, Defoe said: “I feel very much at home in the North East, so to win this award is a real honour. The fans here are very knowledgeable and so passionate - football is their life and that makes it a great place for any player to play football. “I would like to thank the North East Football Writers for voting for me and the Sunderland fans for their amazing support, they have been behind me from day one and I dedicate this award to them. Sunderland is a very special football club that I know will be part of me forever.”

Club News: Lads spread festive cheer to local hospitals

Sunderland stars swapped their red and white shirts for Christmas jumpers as they brought some festive cheer to poorly youngsters across the region this week with a trio of special hospital visits.

The Black Cats first-team squad met with children at Sunderland Royal Hospital, Durham University Hospital and the Great North Children’s Hospital (RVI) in Newcastle, which has been treating Bradley Lowery, to hand out presents and spread some merriment around the wards.

Jermain Defoe added: "The hospital staff do such an amazing job so it’s great to be able to thank them for all their their work, as well as meeting the youngsters and their parents".

David Moyes: ‘Noise for Bradley Lowery shows what Sunderland people think about him’

15Dec2016

David Moyes says he was overwhelmed by the noise levels in support of battling Bradley Lowery, who took to the pitch with his SAFC heroes last night. The Stadium of Light rose on five minutes last night during the Sunderland v Chelsea match to give a huge ovation for the terminally-ill 5-year-old.

"It's really good that people understand the situation Bradley is in first and foremost, that was [what] the noise and applause was for," said Moyes. "But that is the way I think the Sunderland people want to be at the moment, that level of noise, that atmosphere. "All the attention should certainly be onto young Bradley, it was great the supporters backed him so well." Sunderland-mad Bradley was the mascot last night, with favourite player Jermain Defoe taking him out for the pre-match presentations. Defoe this morning took to Twitter to speak of his admiration for “amazing” Bradley.

He posted: “Can’t even find words to express how this made me feel amazing little boy.”...Bradley warmed up with the players on the field while Chelsea's players presented him with a Blues shirt. Following the game, which saw Sunderland lose 1-0 at home, a poll for the “Star Man” of the side was published on the club’s Twitter account. And little Bradley has taken the lead with more than 2,000 votes from the public. He was certainly our man of the match!

Premier League: Defoe v Costa

Cheslea are the team to beat in the Premier League right now, with Sunday’s hard fought win over an in-form West Brom side making it nine wins from nine in the league, having conceded just twice.

On Wednesday Antonio Conte takes his side for a tough trip to Sunderland, who before this weekend had seemed to finally be getting it right, with three wins from four. However, a humbling 3-0 defeat to fellow relegation battlers Swansea on Saturday sent David Moyes’ side straight back to the bottom of the pile in the Premier League.

With Spain international Diego Costa, arguably the best striker in English football at the moment, leading the line for the visitors, Wednesday’s clash at the Stadium of Light may seem a formality.

Sunderland's Jermain Defoe Praised by Former Teammate for Age-Defying Performances

13Dec2016

Matthew Upson has championed the contributions made by former teammate Jermain Defoe to Sunderland's bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

The 37-year-old ex-England defender claimed Defoe is 'priceless' for the Black Cats and praised his impact as 'huge'.

Defoe has been the standout performer again for Sunderland this season, scoring vital goals that have prevented them from being cut adrift at the bottom of the table. It was his goals last season that kept them in the Premier League.